6/13/15

‏@maxwotell 3h3 hours agoThank you to the @Mets for this opportunity! This is a dream come true! I'm ready to go!

The New York Mets selected Marvin Ridge senior ace pitcher Max Wotell with the 88th overall pick in the third round of the Major League Baseball’s first-year play draft on June 9.

Wotell, who was an Arizona Wildcats signee, will bypass the collegiate ranks to pursue his childhood dream of playing professionally. He’ll travel to Citi Field in New York City this week to sign with the Mets, then will return for his high school graduation Friday, June 12 before heading to Port St. Lucie for rookie ball shortly thereafter.

“It’s pretty crazy,” Wotell said. “We got a call from the Mets, and my dad came in and said, ‘They’re going to take you.’ I said, ‘OK.’ That’s all it was. It was a big relief when I heard my name called. I couldn’t be happier right now.

“My phone blew up as soon as it happened. I’ve gotten a bunch of text messages, all over Twitter, and everyone’s real happy for me.”

It’s been quite a week for the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Wotell, who finished with a 14-0 record on the mound this season. He’s fresh off a state championship, being named North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, South Carolinas Conference Pitcher of the Year and Southern Carolinas Conference Player of the Year. He caps it all off by getting picked in the MLB Draft.

Wotell said it’s been the best week of his life.

“Max did what he’s done all year,” Marvin Ridge coach Mark Mennitt said. “I don’t know what else you can do in a high school career. It doesn’t get any better.

“The thing he’s most proud of is that state championship we won as a team. He understood his teammates were a huge part of that. That’s evolution of Max Wotell.”

Mennitt, who’s coached baseball for 21 years, added Wotell is the best player he’s ever coached.

“Not only has he grown physically, even more importantly he’s matured as a young man,” Mennitt said. “Emotionally, he has grown. The thing I’ve seen most out of him is his leadership skill and his ability to lead a group. That’s where he’s made the most growth in my opinion. To me, that’s what makes him special.”

Mennitt added Wotell called him the night before he was picked just to tell him he loved him and how excited – and nervous – he was.

Needless to say Wotell’s body of work and high ceiling of potential made a believer out of the Mets.

“I think it can’t be a better situation,” Mennitt said. “This is such a positive thing, not only for Max and his family, but for the Marvin Ridge community, our team and our area. It’s bigger than Max Wotell, which is awesome.

“The beauty of it is Max Wotell did all of this, but he’d be the first to admit he wouldn’t have done it without his teammates, because this is a team game. But, you can’t deny what he did.”

Tanous said they heavily scouted the lefty and he’s a hard thrower who throws strikes. He has size — 6-foot-3 and athleticism and plus control with a deceptive delivery. Tanous added he’s an excellent competitor. -

Frankie Piliere ‏@FPiliereD1 Been watching Max Wotell for a few years now. Lots of funk and deception, touches the low 90s, 88-91, curveball can be a weapon. Starter for now but has to clean up delivery. Still very young.Chris Crawford ‏@CrawfordChrisV #Mets third-round pick Max Wotell oozes projection but he'll touch the low 90s, and he'll show a solid-average breaking ball.Marvin Ridge HS (NC) - 6-3, 180 - R/L - 9-13-96BASEBALL AMERICA - #144 - Wotell has exceptional projection. He’s 6-foot-3 with a wiry frame and loose arm, and already has the ability to run his fastball up to 93. The lefthander has an unconventional delivery, with his back foot sliding across the rubber to the third base side as he loads his hips. Still, Wotell has a well-coordinated lower half and maintains balance very well, leading some scouts to believe he will be able to develop a repeatable delivery with refinement. Wotell has a live arm action with a wrap in the back and power through a low three-quarters slot. His breaking ball has tight spin and projects as at least an average pitch for him, and he has shown some feel for a changeup. Committed to Arizona, Wotell has an exciting mix of athleticism and potential for three pitches, and his present stuff could allow him to slide right into the rotation for the Wildcats, should a team not be able to meet his asking price.

I think they are definitely getting savings from their second rounder. I'm not saying he isn't a kid that will make some good money, but they didn't pick a guy that wasn't ranked on mlb's top 200 for nothing.

I'm sure they love him. But they also know that they don't have a lot of room to play around money wise and I'm sure they need to find high upside guys that have slipped a little due to various reasons. Lindsey fits that mold due to injury. I doubt he sniffs anywhere near 1 million. He'll likely get 3rd round money.

They also likely won't risk drafting a player they aren't positive they'll sign. Especially early in the draft. These deals are approved in advance in a lot of cases. The Mets aren't a team that shoots from the hip.